Powder-based polymer processes part1 Flashcards
Powder-based processes
Apart from Z-printing (which isn’t actually powber - but it is in the same category) , give two other examples of this process:
- Laser Sintering
- High Speed Sintering (in process of commercialisation)
Course information
no unanimous agreement on classification of systems
• For this module the processes have split by generic ……….. type
e.g ……../ ………… / ……………
• Then grouped by ‘………..’ processes
• Important thing is to understand the processes &
their …………….
material
polymers /metals/ others
similar
applications
Z - Printing
19…. - core technology developed at MIT
• ……….. the technology to a number of companies
for different ………../…………
• In this lecture, focus is on plaster/………. based
materials
• (Similar process also used for metals & …………. )
1993
Licensed
applications/materials
starch
ceramics
Z- Printing Background
Originally known as ‘….. ………..’ – at the time,this term was specific to this particular process
• Technology licensed to ..-…………. for
production of commercial systems
• 3D Systems recently
took over Z-Corporation.
• Re-branded as ‘..-……….’
3d printing
Z-Corporation
Z-Printing
Z-Printing
give the definition of Z-printing
Layer-by-layer approach to
selectively bind and adhere layers
of powder to form a solid object’
Z-Printing Process
Uses an …. -…. printhead to deposit a ……… (…….)
onto the required ……..-………..
Ink-Jet
binder(glue)
Cross-section
For more information see
http://www.zcorp.com/documents/108_3D%20Printing%20White%20Paper
%20FINAL.pdf
(Just bear in mind this is a sales pitch…)
Z-Printing Process
Describe the process in 3 stages
- Deposit a layer of powder
- Print cross-section
- Drop platform by one layer & deposit next layer of powder
Z- Printinig process
• Fill powder supply area with ……… …………
• Check and/or replace binder …………
• Import ….. …….. & add ………. if relevant
• Deposit layer of powder from powder supply area
• Print binder onto ……..-……….
• Lower ……… …. ……… by one layer
• Raise ………… ………… …….. & deposit next layer of
powder
• Remove part from powder ‘………’
• …….-………….
loose powder
cartridge
.stl file , colour
cross-section
powder bed piston
powder delivery piston
cake
post-processing
Z- Printing post processing
• ………/……… away loose powder (gently!)
• This leaves you with a ‘…….’ part which is
relatively …….. and ………
• Often ……… (e.g. with wax/epoxy) to give the part ……… and ………. …………
vacuum/wash
green
weak, porous
infiltrate , strength
colour vividness
Advantage of Z-Printing
Give 5 advantages of this process
1) Office-friendly
• Low heat, noise etc.
2) Ease of use
• Does not require large amounts of training
• E.g. easier to use for whole design team
3)Speed – use of ink-jet technology allows
relatively fast printing of build volume
4) System & material costs relatively low
5) Can print full-scale colour!
What are 3 disadvantages of Z-Printing?
1) Weakness of ‘green’ part
• Can lead to damage during clean-up
• Limitations on thin features
2) Generally low mechanical properties
• Compared with other AM processes
3) Only surface colour
Applications of Z-Printing
• Most often used for ………… models, rather
than ………… parts
• Many of its main uses are a direct result of ability
to produce ………… parts
give 4 examples :
visualisation
structural
coloured
- Architectural models
- Consumer/ergonomic trials
- Finite Element models
- Medical applications (developing)
Architectural Models - Z-Printing
give 4 reasons why this method is used for architectural models :
1)Often one-off models
• Cost & time savings, especially over hand-crafting
2) Much easier visualisation than 2D plans, or even
a 3D CAD model
• E.g. to inform the General Public
• Tendering processes
3) Detail
• E.g. people, trees, etc.
4) Colour
• Benefit over other AM!
Customer trials , Z-Printing
Give 2 reasons why you would use Z-printing for this :
1) The ability to trial a product
before beginning production can be invaluable
• Establish customer opinions before it’s too late!
2) Colour is a real benefit here
• Enhanced realism
• Colour preferences?
Finite Element models , Z-Printing
What is the reason to use Z-printing for these models ?
You can apply FEA stress plot to surface of part
• Useful for visualisation & to aid in re-design process
• Can extend this to testing – does your part fail in the
same place as your model predicts?
• Consumer use – looks ‘a bit sciencey’
